For Your Eyes Only – Samsung’s Note 7 Keeps Private Files Private

Update: Since this story was published on the 3rd of August Samsung has issued a recall of the Galaxy Note 7 due to the battery catching fire in a number of cases. All Galaxy Note 7 owners are requested to stop using the phone and return them to their retailer for a replacement.

Read more about this at the Verge here, and read the product safety replacement at Samsung NZ’s website here.

Original Post:

The new Samsung Galaxy Note 7, announced this morning, is the first Samsung smartphone with an infrared iris scanner.

Not only does that mean you can unlock your phone just by looking at it, you can also use this security setting to hide content – think files and photos – from anyone else who picks up the phone.

As well as increased security the Note 7 features water resistance (to IP68 level) and the always useful S Pen/stylus.

The large screen phone will ship with a complementary 128GB SD card in New Zealand when it is launched on the 19th of August.

As it is the first Note with a USB C connector, Samsung will also throw in a USB C cable and a Micro USB to USB C converter which is a nice touch.

And just in case you were wondering, there was no Note 6. Samsung have chosen to leap a model number from the 5 to the 7, to bring it more into line with their other famous phone, the Galaxy S7.

Here are some additional key features as noted in the Note 7 launch press release:

S Pen: Quickly and Easily Bring Ideas to Life

The enhanced Galaxy Note7 S Pen is more than just a writing tool – it is the gateway to getting more done efficiently and accurately. Users can bring ideas to life the moment inspiration strikes, without unlocking the screen, by using Screen off Memo and simply pinning the memo to the Always On Display. The S Pen also gives users the ability to easily create and share GIF animations with Smart Select. In addition, the new Air Command functions, including Magnify and Translate, enable users to zoom in on the screen or convert languages with a simple hover of the S Pen. It is even easier to access the best of the S Pen’s creative abilities with Samsung Notes, a new unified app allowing users to jot down handwritten notes, draw, or edit memos from one location.

The new S Pen writes with ease and precision. The smaller 0.77mm tip and improved pressure sensitivity provides a real pen-like experience. With the peace of mind that IP68 water resistance1 provides, the Galaxy Note7 lets users jot down their thoughts without interruption, even when the screen gets wet.

Advanced Security: Now in the Blink of an Eye

Samsung understands the importance of keeping content on users’ phones protected. Coupled with Samsung Knox, an industry leading security platform, the Galaxy Note7 provides heightened security and privacy, with highly advanced biometric authentication, including fingerprint scanner and iris scanning technology. The Galaxy Note7 offers more authentication options that can be used interchangeably depending on how people use their phones, wherever they are, or whatever they are doing.

The Galaxy Note7 instils a new level of user confidence with Secure Folder, a separated folder that adds an extra layer of authentication to keep private and personal information safe.

Best-in-Class Entertainment

The phone is one of the most important screens in a user’s life because it’s with them all of the time. The Galaxy Note7 features a gorgeous, curved 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED screen delivering a bold and immersive picture on a smartphone. It is ready to stream HDR video, enabling a cinema-like experience, including brighter colours and a deeper black, which ensure users get the full experience that the filmmaker intended.

By pairing the Galaxy Note7 with the new Gear VR powered by Oculus, users can experience premium virtual reality almost anywhere. Galaxy Note7’s incredible Super AMOLED screen and powerful processor delivers an ultra-immersive experience. The vast and ever growing library of apps, photos, games and more, puts users in the centre of the action. Whether it’s next level gaming or journeying to places users have never been before, there’s always something new to discover.

For people who live to create, tell stories and transport people to entirely new worlds, the Galaxy Note7can be used with the new high-resolution (3840×1920) Gear 360 camera, to capture, edit and share 360-degree images videos on the go. These memories can then be shared with friends via platforms including YouTube 360 and Facebook, and can be relived with the ultra-immersive Gear VR.

Galaxy Foundation with Refined Craftsmanship

With Galaxy Note7, Samsung continues to defy boundaries of engineering to perfect the user experience through innovative design. Every edge, surface and detail of the device’s design has been refined to provide a comfortable grip, easier one-handed operation, and durability with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5. Although the Galaxy Note7 features a large-screen size, the unique front-to-back symmetrical dual-edge curve remains balanced and light with the sleek feel users have come to love from the Galaxy series. The curved screen lets the Galaxy Note7 add the powerful Edge Panel for one-tap user access to applications, news and functions.

The Galaxy Note7 is equipped with the advanced camera introduced on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. The dual-pixel sensor technology, wide aperture and fast auto focus, work together to create sharp and beautiful photos even in low-light environments.

In addition to 64GB2 of internal memory, the Galaxy Note7 offers expandable storage and microSD support up to 256GB. The Galaxy Note7 is equipped with a 3,500mAh battery, easy Power Management UX through Smart Manager, and charges quickly using the new USB Type-C port. Recharge the Galaxy Note7 wherever wireless charging is available.Creating a Phone+ Ecosystem of Connected Experiences

The Galaxy Note7 is more than just a smartphone; it’s a connection point to Samsung’s ecosystem of devices, software and services. Users can monitor their fitness activities on the Gear Fit2 and track their data through S Health 5.0.3 In addition to accurate and robust fitness tracking and measurement, the new S Health enables users to stay connected to family and friends, by sharing fitness updates or competing in friendly challenges with one another.

Pair the Galaxy Note7 with the new Gear VR powered by Oculus and experience premium virtual reality almost anywhere. The Galaxy Note7’s incredible Super AMOLED screen and powerful processor delivers an ultra-immersive experience.

The Galaxy Note7 supports the new Gear 360 camera, so users can capture and share their own 360-degree videos on the go.